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5000 POPPIES 
A lovely idea and I have passed it on to many friends. Lest we Forget!
Thanks Jan,
I am so excited to have so many people resonating with this project and loving the stories that are coming out of it. Thank you for your contribution.
Lynn
I reckon we will pass the 5000 mark, for sure
Some time ago Krystyna … we are now at nearly 16,000 on our way to a revised total of 25,000 …. how amazing will that be?
Ditto we are joining ion at our Aged Care facility in Redbank Plains Qld. The residents are extremely keen to be involved.
Welcome aboard Tammy.
Enjoy your poppymaking.
Lynn
I will be bringing a school group of about 50 pupils to Canberra leading up to Remembrance Day 2018.. Can students walk around the 5000 poppies? Will there be a special event leading up to Remembrance Day that we can attend?
Hi Paul,
The experience will be incredibly immersive, your students will be able to wander the paths through the poppies like being in a field.
It will be quite beautiful. There is a significant service at the AWM on that day … I am not sure of the details or whether you will need to book, but keep your eye on the AWM website for details.
Lynn
I would like to be involved in making the poppies!!
Rhonda
Hi Rhonda,
You are more than welcome to join us … the more contributors the faster we will reach our goal.
Lynn
Is it possible for this also to be done in NZ? Could we make and display them here too?
Lisa
Hi Lynn,
I am wishing to be involved in your project and have an idea I wish to discuss with you regarding the poppies and our local Remembrance Day celebration and starting a community contribution from my home town (Hamilton, Vic.). I am also having no luck whatsoever downloading any of the patterns, it freezes my computer for some reason. Any chance I could get an email copy for both crochet and knit poppies.
Regards, Jacinta
I would like to make contact with a Poppy maker in Hawaii. I will be visiting there next year. I am also involved in Poppy making here in Townsville Qld. laineym40@westnet.com.au
we would like to be involved in making poppies!! We are a small family that homeschools and my children are getting ready for Remembarence day. We are in South Africa
Hi Kathy,
We would love you to be involved.
Knit and crochet patterns are on the blog. But your children may find it easier to make poppies from commercial felt. I will post some on the blog over the weekend so that you can get an idea. They are quite easy and very quick to make. You can make a couple and send them to me or you can place them at your local memorial if you wish. We would be delighted if you could take some pics and send them to us. I would be happy to post a dedication on the blog for you whether or not you send your poppies to us.
Lynn
Hi Lynn thanks that would be lovely. Please let us know where we must send them to 🙂
Hi Kathy … poppies can be sent to Lynn Berry : 5000 Poppies, P.O. Box 115 Ashburton Vic 3147 Australia
Enjoy making with your children. If you look at today’s blog post you will see a couple of really cute commercial felt poppies … so easy to make. Let me know if you would like a closer view.
Lynn
Could you please Publish the Pattern for the Felt poppies
Hi Jeanette … I am not sure if you are talking about commercial felt poppies or wet felt poppies but here are some links for you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoXeCsB_NWM … you can use a very small amount of dishwashing detergent in the bottle instead of Filz Fix and for a cute little dry felted poppy http://www.handmadespark.com/blog/felt-poppy-flower-tutorial-guest-post-from-carolyn-of-the-wishing-elephant/ … which I think you could also modify for use with other fabrics. Just google search “fabric or felted poppy tutorial” there will be a whole host of sites for you to search through for one that suits you.
Lynn
So pleased to have heard about this wonderful project. About to start my first poppy and have shared the information with some friends.
Fantastic Pat, look forward to seeing your poppies in due course.
Lynn
hi, I posted package full of 100 poppies over a week ago. so hope it gets there. fond regards nola robeets from gracemere qld 4702
Absolutely received them Nola and already slowly being incorporated into the display. Yay.
Thank you SO much.
Lynn
Greetings Lynn.
I am donating 142 crocheted Poppies. My Father served in Wewak, Milne Bay and Kokoda.
He was 91 years old when he passed away so 91 represent every year my Father was here . I was 51 when he passed away, so each Poppy represents each year I was blessed to have him. Total is 142. I am in Melbourne Victoria. Where is a drop off point please. I am prepared to travel to drop them off, or send them directly to you when the last few are complete with their stamens.
I am currently affixing their centres.
An amazing heartfelt initiative. You get my vote for O.A. next year.
Hugs to you. Beverley
Hi Beverley, what a wonderful tribute to your father. My father served at Milne Bay also. We are in Melbourne as well. You can drop off at Wondoflex Yarn Craft Centre, 1353 Malvern Rd, Malvern or to Open Drawer, 1158 Toorak Rd, Camberwell. Apart from that they can be posted to P.O. Box 115 Ashburton, Vic. 3147. So thrilled to have you on board. This Monday we have a Poppy Playtime in Federation Square to see the display and to make more poppies or just sit around and chat over a cup of tea or coffee. You are welcome to join us if you like … 12 pm to 2 pm in the atrium at Fed Square. Would love to see you there if you are free.
Lynn
Hi there
Just wondering if you would like to set up your project as an open workshop at Boyd Community Hub at 207 City Rd at our Community Event ‘Christmas Buoyed @ Boyd’ on Thursday 12 December from 5pm -7 pm (4.30 if you want to see Santa on the fire truck!) cheers Natalie
Greetings Lynn. When are you back at Fed Square? Im still breeding crocheted Poppies. Hugs to you.
Hi Denia,
Happpy new year … we are back at Fed Square next Monday 13 Jan at midday.
Look forward to seeing you then if you can make it.
Regards,
Lynn
Are the dedications only for 1 st world war or can it be any war?
Hi Denzel,
Thanks for your email.
Dedications can be for any war, any conflict, any peacekeeping operation, any nationality.
The sentiment is the key.
Enjoy making poppies.
Regards,
Lynn
Hi there, what about origami poppies. I have a 10 yr old son that LOVES making origami stuff. I’m sure there would be a pattern somewhere.
cheers
Nickie
Sounds fabulous Nickie … and different … we are all for different here.
Look forward to receiving them.
Send photos of them being made if you like … I would love to post on the blog.
Lynn
Awesome, just joined your facebook page. Got to find some red paper for my son. Where do we send these things?
cheers
Nickie
Excellent Nickie, They can be sent to 5000 Poppies, P.O. Box 115, Ashburton Vic. 3147 Australia You can also read all about the project at 5000poppies.wordpress.com Look forward to seeing origami poppies in due course. Lovely. Lynn Berry
On Sun, Jan 26, 2014 at 1:24 PM, 5000 POPPIES
oh no – is this not the NEw Zealand one…… Cost too much to send to Aussie 😦
Never mind Nickie. We are linked. You can send yours to the New Zealand one … even better. Lisa Wallace, 22/I Mead Street, Avondale 1026, Auckland Lisa will be delighted. Lynn
On Tue, Jan 28, 2014 at 7:56 AM, 5000 POPPIES
Hi Nickie,
YES WE WOULD LOVE YOUR POPPIES!!
Regards,
Lisa
Just wondering if you will be back at Fed Square this year with Poppy Playtime?
I love your idea.
I just read an article about what you are doing in Vogue Knitting (Spring/Summer 2014).
I’m a knitter. I live in the USA, was born in the UK and my Dad is from New Zealand, so Anzac Day and the symbolism of poppies are both well known to me.
Keep up the great work and perhaps we can spread the word internationally.
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer … I am totally blown away by the worldwide interest in our little (or not so little anymore) project.
Would love you to spread the word … we are doing all we can here as well.
Enjoy the process … its addictive and somewhat cathartic.
Lynn
Definitely super addictive, and a nice one-evening sized project! I had planned just to make a handful, one for each of my great uncles who were in World War 2, but I now have more than a dozen, and my husband finally noticed that they are gradually filling up the top shelf of the bookcase! They are a talking point until I pack them up to send them in.
Hi, this is such a lovely idea and I am enthusiastically embracing it. I’m trying the crochet version but I’m not happy with my results. Maybe I’m reading the pattern wrongly but even using a 2.5 hook the finished product seems much too big. Four rounds gives me a diameter of about 6 or 7 cms. Any thoughts?
HI Sherryl … that’s a small hook must be hard to work with. Try doing one less round but adding in an extra treble to each stitch on the last to get the frill and see what that looks like. Can you post a photo. Mind you 6-7 cm doesn’t seem all that large to me … most of my poppies end up around 7-10cm depending on the yarn and the hook.
Good news- as a descendant of 2 Grandfathers who were part of the Gallipoli campaign I was successful in the ballot to attend the Dawn Service at Anzac Cove 2015. My friends are busy designing poppy beanies necklaces etc for me to wear to the service.Meanwhile I am encouraging all my friends to make poppies for your display.
What a wonderful thing for you Kay. That will be such a thrill. I don’t know whether you have been to Anzac Cove before but I have (although not to attend a service) and it is just amazing … it feels “sacred” somehow … I have been sitting here reliving the impact it had on me. I cannot imagine what it will be like to be there on Anzac Day with the spirit of those who fought … I think it will be the most amazing experience … I hope you write about it for us … I really would love to hear about your experience.
Magnificent that you are attending.
Take your camera and spare power pack.
I have made a crochet poppy and am pleased with the result, however it appears large, about 14cm. Is this too large?
Hi Desleigh … 14cm is fine. In fact just about any size is fine … it will look wonderful in amongst all the other poppies.
Lynn
Hi. you like safety pins sewn on to the back of each poppy. or do you have some thing else in mind
HI Krystyna,
Nothing on the back … if we attach we will do by other means
Thanks so much.
Lynn
thanks. I’ll see how many I can get done.
Thanks Krystyna … enjoy making.
Lynn
Hi,
I am working on some felt poppies to send off, just wondering if there is a cut off date for sending them in?
cheers
kylie
Hi Kylie … love felted poppies and have been making a few myself. The cut off date is Late March next year so PLENTY of time.
Don’t rush.
Enjoy the process … it’s addictive.
Lynn
Hi I have been knitting the ribbed poppy. could I get the pattern for the other kinds of knitted poppies, thanks Krystyna.
Can I tell you about a wonderful man and a friend of mine My Stanley Kaye who has a group of many followers on Face Book..His group is “Remembering World War One in 2014 100 years” Stan as he is known by many people from all over the world lives in England and his main objective is for everyone all over the world to plant Poppies..Stan visits schools,the armed forces and so on..His group on Face Book is dedicated to those who served in WW1..There are many photo’s posted on the group page from thousands of people all over the world..Some like myself share stories or loved ones who served in WW1..Would you be so kind and take a look at Stans group and perhaps make contact with him..Stans objective as he wrote in 2013 “This year is the centenary [100 years] anniversary of the outbreak of WWI and I just thought to myself, what a good idea if everyone bought a packet of Poppy seeds (or 2) and scattered them in ie: back garden borders, planters etc.schools and supermarkets and companys could maybe put an area aside to plant poppies . Then, this time next year, when they flower, we would all be looking at Poppies in remembrance of those who fell during the 1914-1918 War.
Kind Regards Marion from Sydney
Hi Marion,
Let’s see if that works for you.
Thank you for referring me to Stan … I will have a look at his facebook page when I come up for air … at the Craft and Quilt fair with my poppies all weekend and next week is a work writeoff. then I am retiring and look forward to being able to devote some more time to poppies. We are very excited about the Project if you haven’t already guessed and look forward to doing an amazing visual display next year to honour our war heroes.
Lynn
Thanks Lynn, I have let Stan know you have replied to my above post..
Kind Regards Marion
Hi Ladies,
I met Bernice at the Craft and Quilt Show in Melbourne and told her I would write about this wonderful project on my blog. I was so humbled to see the support and different age groups making poppies. It was wonderful to see a community project at the show and I am looking forward to sending some poppies soon. Here is the link to my post: http://heartworkz.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/5000-poppies.html
Thanks Wendy.
Will pop over and have a look.
We are loving the project … as you say … it is so inclusive and everyone has their own reasons for making their poppies.
I am so looking forward to seeing the final display.
Lynn
I would just like to let you know that aprox 40 women from Goombungee CWA, Highfields Craft Group and Kulpi Craft Group, all in SE QLD, are busy making poppies for the 5000 appeal.
We have been wondering what will happen if you get more 5000 poppies.
Hi Debi …
Thrilled to see that your group is working towards our wonderful project … we have a lot of contributors from QLD …
We already have nearly 30,000 poppies and counting … we passed the 5000 mark within the first three months of starting the project so now we are going for broke.
They will all be displayed in Fed Square as a massive community tribute to our War heroes.
Exciting isn’t it.
Lynn
Hi
Whyalla Public Library would love to become a collection point – staff are very enthusiastic and have some great ideas for getting our community involved. what do we need to do? cheers
Janet (community programs Librarian – Whyalla Public Library)
Hi from Helen
I had read your website with much interest. Is there a workshop in Adelaide. I would like to help with making some poppies for this special event. I await your response.
kind regards
Helen
Hi
Our ladies bible study group here on Norfolk Island have joined in and are making poppies as our contribution to our local RSL. They are delighted with the idea. We don’t know how we will display them yet but I’m sure our craft ladies will have some ideas.
Cheers
Gail
Hi – such a great project. Cant wait to see it all installed. My 92 year old nana and her craft friends are all busy making poppies. I think there are quite a few people in Horsham who are making them. Do you have any plans to expand the project and create installation in any regional areas??
Just wondering how manyore poppies are needed
Hi Wendy.
We are now working towards 100,000 plus plus … such an amazing display.
Feel free to keep contributing if you wish.
Lynn
Hi Wendy, if you are in NZ we are at 10,000 poppies and hoping to get to 18,500. So feel free to keep producing poppies as we will happily receive them.
Lisa
It may be a little late for this remembrance day but can we still make and submit poppies for next year or future displays?
Of course Shelley.
Our main display is for Anzac Day next year in Melbourne and then Remembrance Day in Perth followed by the other States.
How amazing is that.
Look forward to seeing your poppies in due course.
Lynn
Hi,
Lachlan Legacy/Forbes RSL Sub-branch are happy to be a collection point. Poppies collected will be displayed in the foyer of the Club. Contact details are Tel: 02 6852 2041
Regards
Helen
We have a knitting/crotcheting group as part of our nfp organisation Armidale Care for Seniors Inc. we are happy to be a collection point for the Armidale area. CWA Hall, 172 Rusden St, Armidale
Hi Natasha,
I have added your collection details to our collections page.
Thank you so much for your involvement in the project.
Enjoy making.
Lynn
Hello, a wonderful initiative! Can you please repair the link for patterns for the rsl poppies. Including some details around size? Cheers Paula
Hi Paula,
Have attached a link to the patterns.
Sizes should be somewhere between 6-8 cm for these poppies. Min size overall is 4cm and 9cm is the maximum.
Enjoy making
Click to access poppies-patterns-update-september-2017.pdf
Lynn
We have a local cafe called The Red Poppy Cafe. Can I approach them and ask them if a group of people can meet there and make talk poppies. Or is there certain rules governing the group involvement.
Thank you
Wendy
Hi Wendy,
Sorry for my late response to your email … I am still wading through the many hundreds of comments on the blog.
There are no rules regarding starting up a group … and the Red Poppy Cafe sounds like the perfect place to meet up.
Sounds like fun.
Enjoy.
Lynn
Hi jan just wondering if there is other people from around Brisbane and Ipswich areas in qld
Hi Maureen,
I believe there is a meet up at the Art and Craft Cottage in Ipswich on Sat 11 November at 11.00 a.m.
I am sure they would love you to join them.
Give the Art and Craft Cottage a call to confirm.
Have fun.
Lynn
Hi, I Have about 230 poppies ready, I’m in Brisbane is there a collection here? Thank Monika
Hi Monika,
Thank you so much for your contribution. At this point there is no collection point in Brisbane, but you could ask your local Member of Parliament if they would send the poppies to Melbourne on your behalf. That might work … we have been working on options for national collection points but it has proved difficult.
The address to send your poppies to is 5000 Poppies, P.O. Box 115, Ashburton Vic 3145 or they can be delivered to the East Malvern RSL, Stanley Grose Drive, East Malvern Vic 3145
Keep your eye on the blog for updates on collection points … we are adding as people offer.
Thanks again.
Lynn
Hi, may i send you A photo of the october Poppy of Polygon wood For Peace, Zonnebeke Belgium?
Kind regards,
Enca Caen.
Thank you so much Enca for sending the image through.
The installation is truly beautiful.
Kind regards,
Lynn Berry
Greetings,
I’m knitting poppies at the moment, should I keep going or should I stop?
cheers,
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
We are still making but in all honesty, will probably be finished before April next year. Get those poppies in to us soon. Lynn
Hi Lynn,
Thank you for your response. I’ll update my circle of friends who are currently knitting and let them know to get the poppies to you soon. Cheers, Michelle
My great great uncle Hugh Baxter was killed at Gallipoli in 1915. I knew of the project but was unaware of the intensely personal aspect of it, for which sincerest gratitude. I had been unaware of Hugh’s military history until researching family history a few years ago. My question is, would it be possible to buy Hugh’s poppy on completion of the project, it would be a wonderful addition to his other medals.
Sincere thanks.
Rosemary
Hi Rosemary … each poppy is an individual, handcrafted with lve … but not individually named.
Hello
I am from COA Sydney and our knitting group (all elderly ladies) has made and donated 500 poppies.
Is there any way that I can arrange for an acknowledgment letter or an email?
Many Thanks
Sabina
Hi Sabina … I am about to hop on a flight and won’t be home for a couple of weeks. Would you mind emailing me at 5000poppies@gmail.com and I will attend to it when I return. For your information, because of the sheer number of contributions, we acknowledge all contributions both on facebook and on our blog.
Thank you
Is there a plan for poppies this year, 2020? I would love to have information about where to send them as it gets closer to Remembrance Day. Or would I just contact my local RSL?
Hi Ann … 5000 poppies has now completed its course (2013 to 2020)… and we are in the process of disseminating the poppies to the wider community. Contact your local RSL or check in on our facebook group for anyone who is continuing to make poppies.